Latest news with #MutualofAlameda
Los Angeles Times
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
David Kaff, who played keyboardist Viv Savage in ‘This Is Spinal Tap,' dies at 79
David Kaff, the British actor and musician who played keyboardist Viv Savage in Rob Reiner's hit 1984 mockumentary 'This Is Spinal Tap,' died Saturday. He was 79. His death was announced in a Facebook post by his band Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom, which didn't specify a cause or say where Kaff died beyond noting that he 'passed away peacefully in his sleep.' 'We are devastated by this event,' the band added in the note. 'David always had a kind word and a quick wit that would slay you where you stand. Then he'd make you smile doing it!' As Savage, Kaff played keyboards in Spinal Tap behind lead singer David St. Hubbins (portrayed by Michael McKean), guitarist Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) and bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer). Reiner's film, which followed the band's introduction in a sketch on the 1979 ABC comedy special 'The T.V. Show,' expertly parodied the stylistic excesses of heavy metal — one enduring gag had Tufnel demonstrating that the volume knobs on his Marshall amplifier 'go to 11' instead of the usual 10 — and became a cult favorite eventually inducted into the Library of Congress' National Film Registry. The movie spawned a soundtrack featuring original songs written and performed by the actors, including 'Stonehenge,' 'Sex Farm' and 'Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight.' Kaff performed with Spinal Tap on 'Saturday Night Live' after the film's release but left the band before it made a second album, 'Break Like the Wind,' in 1992; he's not expected to appear in a long-awaited sequel to the movie, 'Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,' due in theaters in September. Kaff was born David Kaffinetti in 1946 and co-founded the British prog-rock group Rare Bird, which scored a Top 40 hit in the U.K. in 1970 with 'Sympathy.' In 1972, he played piano for Chuck Berry at a live gig that was recorded for Berry's album 'The London Chuck Berry Sessions,' which spawned the chart-topping 'My Ding-a-Ling.' Information about Kaff's survivors wasn't immediately available.
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
BREAKING: Tributes pour in as rock icon dead at 79
Actor and musician David Kaff, known for playing the Spinal Tap keyboardist Viv Savage in the film This Is Spinal Tap, has died aged 79. Kaff's current band, Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom, confirmed his death on Facebook. 'Our brother David Kaffinetti passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday. We are devastated by this event. David always had a kind word and a quick wit that would slay you where you stand. Then he'd make you smile doing it! R.I.P,. Dear brother,' they posted. Born in southern England in Kent, he launched his music career in 1969 as a founding member of the progressive rock band Rare Bird. The group released five studio albums between 1969 and 1974. Their single Sympathy reached no.1 in both France and Italy as well as no. 27 in the UK singles charts in February 1970, with the track having sold an estimated one million copies globally. Kaff was also involved in session work on Chuck Berrys 1972 album, The London Chuck Berry Sessions. He was later cast as Viv Savage, the keyboardist for the fictional rock band Spinal Tap, in the 1984 mockumentary film This Is Spinal Tap. Following the release of the film, the group continued as a band, performing at concerts and live television appearances. Kaff's final involvement with Spinal Tap was their 1984 appearance on Saturday Night Live. By the end of that same year, Kaff had departed from the group and was no longer associated with any subsequent Spinal Tap projects. Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, a follow-up to This is Spinal Tap, has been announced with a cinema release date later this year.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
This Is Spinal Tap's David Kaff dies aged 79
David Kaff has died aged 79. The actor and musician - who was best-known for playing keyboardist Viv Savage in Rob Reiner's This Is Spinal Tap - passed away on Friday (11.07.25). Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom, his band, said in a Facebook post: "Our brother David Kaffinetti passed away peacefully in his sleep. We are devastated by this event. David always had a kind word and a quick wit that would slay you where you stand. Then he'd make you smile doing it! RIP dear brother (sic)" Kaff's cause of death has not yet been revealed. The musician - whose real name was David Kaffinetti - was a founding of the progressive rock band Rare Bird, which released five studio albums between 1969 and 1975. Sympathy, the band's 1970 single, is estimated to have sold one million copies globally. Kaff was cast as a Viv Savage in This Is Spinal Tap, the mockumentary comedy film co-written and directed by Rob Reiner, which was released in 1984 to critical acclaim. Kaff starred in the movie alongside the likes of Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, and he even appeared in the band's Saturday Night Live performance in 1984. The musician had a relatively small role in the film, but he still became well-known for some of his memorable lines, like "Have a good time … all the time" and "Quite exciting, this computer magic!". Kaff admitted in 1991 that he actually shared a lot of traits with his on-screen character. He told BAM: "I played him very close to my heart, just a little bit dimmer. If people like that character, chances are they'll like me." After cutting ties with Spinal Tap, Kaff went on to star in the bands Model Citizenz and Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom. And while a sequel to This Is Spinal Tap - entitled Spinal Tap II: The End Continues - is slated to be released later this year, Kaff is reported to have had no involvement with the project.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
David Kaff, keyboardist who played Viv Savage in ‘This Is Spinal Tap,' dead at 79
David Kaff has died. The musician, famous for portraying Viv Savage in the 1984 mockumentary 'This Is Spinal Tap,' passed away in his sleep last week. He was 79. ©Embassy Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection His band, Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom, revealed the heartbreaking news via social media on Friday, July 11. 'Our brother David Kaffinetti passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday,' Kaff's bandmates announced on Facebook. Sharing they were 'devastated' by his death, the band noted, 'David always had a kind word and a quick wit that would slay you where you stand. Then he'd make you smile doing it!' Signing off their emotional message, they concluded, 'RIP dear brother.' His cause of death was not revealed. Kaff's memorable line in the '80s mockumentary about a struggling metal band is one of the most quoted to this day. During the movie's credits, when asked about his life motto, his character says: 'Have a good time… all the time.' This is a developing story…
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Musician and Spinal Tap star David Kaff dies aged 79
David Kaff, best known for his role in the 80s film This Is Spinal Tap, has died. The 79-year-old actor and musician died last week, with his band announcing the news, but not specifying the cause of death. Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom, Kaff's band, announced on social media on Friday, July 11: 'Our brother David Kaffinetti passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday. 'We are devastated by this event. 'David always had a kind word and a quick wit that would slay you where you stand. 'Then he'd make you smile doing it! RIP dear brother.' Kaff was a member of the progressive rock band Rare Bird for six years between 1969 and 1975, releasing five albums during their time together. Their single Sympathy reached the top 30 in 1970 in the UK singles chart. He was later in the band Mutual of Alameda's Wild Kingdom. Fans were quick to share their sincere condolences with the band on social media. Billy Garoutte commented on the Facebook post: 'My deepest condolences sent. 😕' 'Rest in peace Viv. Condolences to family and friends. Love and Aloha,' said Tim Gannon, referencing Kaff's most famous acting role. 'Very very sorry for the loss,' said Kevin Beville. Despite his musical success he was best known by fans for playing Spinal Tap keyboardist, Viv Savage, in the popular 1984 musical comedy This Is Spinal Tap. The original 1984 film This Is Spinal Tap mocked heavy rock bands, pointing out the ridiculousness of their backstage debaucherous behaviour and outfits. More Trending The mockumentary centred on the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap – and was filled with quotable moments that decades later still have people reciting. The movie was a massive success, leading to the main trio actually performing as Spinal Tap at various concerts, including at Glastonbury Festival, Live Earth concerts, and at a tribute to Freddie Mercury. A Spinal Tap sequel, titled Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, has been released – with Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney confirmed to cameo. The new film is set to feature the original cast members, including Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, and director Rob Reiner. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Legendary 00s band announce huge tour after cancelling Glastonbury slot MORE: Pokemon voice actor James Carter Cathcart dies aged 71 MORE: EastEnders star Frank Barrie dies aged 88 as tributes are paid
